AnActsDevotional

 Acts 13:38-39   “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.   Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses." (such as obeying the ten commandments) Lord Jesus, the law is too much for us to remember please guide us with Your Holy Spirit and forgive us when we fail.  And when we do fail please help us to pick up the pieces and fix what we can, We need You Lord.  Amen.

Acts 13:13-43   Paul give a history lesson that leads to the resurrection of Christ.  In this message he quotes Habakkuk 1:5 “‘Look, you scoffers,      wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days      that you would never believe,      even if someone told you.’ So where do we stand?  Is God doing something unbelievable in our own lives?  Paul says "I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.   Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.   Paul highlights that we can't obtain perfection!  God's standards; we need a Saviour and His name is Jesus. I'm amazed as I'm reminded at Christmas time that God came to earth as a baby; a non-threatening creature; for you and for me.  Then at Easter I'm reminded that our sins of jealousy and pride had the...

Acts 13:6-12   There is no doubt that satan rules the earth.  When Jesus was told by the devil to bow down and worship him Jesus never disputed that satan ruled the earth.  What Jesus did do though is introduce God's Kingdom here on earth. "May Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".  Thus we're left with this true story of some Christians who come across a Jewish wizard who enhanced their ministry, it seems, in the eyes of  the proconsul,  Sergius Paulus.  You see, God is in the habit of taking what satan means for harm and turning it around into good. Lord Jesus, we live in this world run by satan but we're in Your Kingdom here on earth.  Give us eyes to see what You see and work in and through us so that what satan means for harm You continue to turn into good.  Amen

  Acts 13:4-5 Barnabas, Saul and John were sent out as missionaries and they ended up in Cyprus.  There they taught in the Jewish  synagogues. To me these were brave men.  They were being persecuted in other location but here they went into the synagogues to teach and we can assume they were teaching about Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to obey You and the body of Christ so that we can be effective in Your Kingdom.  Amen

  Acts 12:25-13:3 Here we see the church in action.  They pray together, sensed the Holy Spirit and then they do something.  They lay hands on a team and send them out. Lord Jesus we pray for our churches.  May we sense the Holy Spirit drawing us closer to You and as You draw us closer wipe away the dirt of this world.  Raise us up to be Holy people; set apart for You.  Amen

  Acts 12:19-24 Although Herod was a violent man God did not immediately give up on him.  God chose to work through him in helping other countries yet he refused to see this so his life was taken from him. Lord Jesus, please use us for Your honour and glory and help us to recognize it's You working in and through us and we're not doing things with our own wisdom and strength.  Amen

  Acts 12:18-19 Peter is gone and 16 soldiers who were in charge of guarding Peter are in trouble!  They couldn't find Peter so the guards were executed. Lord Jesus, I don't understand why you allow people like Herod to rule; yet You do.  Please watch over the authorities in our government.  Give them Your wisdom and help them rule in truth and humility.  Lord, I pray for each person who is living under a violent government.  Help them find that peace that is found with You.  Amen

  Acts 12:11-17 In this case the disciples found it unbelievable that Peter was rescued from prison.  It gives us hope in our unbelief.  We can pray "Lord I believe, please help my unbelief". Lord Jesus, we know You came to earth, died and rose again and have left Your Holy Spirit to guide, protect and gift us; yet we can walk around as if we don't believe.  Please help our unbelief.  Amen

  Acts 12:6-10 Even when there are political agenda's God and His angel army are still working!  Let us never give up hope! Lord Jesus I pray for the Gospel for Asia  where the founder spent many years in awful prison just because he was a Christian.  Bless them as they spread Your word and place them just where You need them.  I also pray for the Christian inmates.  Lord Jesus, please continue to light the revival flames in our prison system.  Amen

  Acts 12:3-5 Public opinion wanted the Christian's arrested so King Herod arrested Peter and had 16 guards guarding him!  What he didn't know, however, was the church was praying for Peter! Lord Jesus, help us to be wise and listen to You over the words of public opinion.  And Lord Jesus, help us to be people of prayer.  I know sometimes we get into a routine and forget it's about a personal relationship with You so we need You to intervene for us and bring us back to Your heart. Lord Jesus, I also pray for everyone who is in prison today just because they are Christians.  Encourage them, protect them and give them wisdom. Amen

  Acts 12:1-2 The government is against the Christians to such an extent that they had James the brother of John put to death!  This is not unlike some places in our world today. Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom we have in Canada today.  Thank You for keeping our country glorious and free all of these years.  Please help us not to take You for granted.  And Lord Jesus, we pray for the persecuted church right now.  Please keep them wise and strong.  Give them what they need to grow Your Kingdom.  Amen

  Acts 11:27-30 It is cool to experience the power of the Holy Spirit but usually this happens because God wants us to do something.  In this case the church in Antioch was warned about a famine and they responded to the need. Lord Jesus, please help us to be a true Kingdom of believers that helps others with the gifts You have given to us.  Amen

  Acts 11:25-26 Christians!  What is a Christian?  I've heard it said someone who obeys the ten commandments; yet many of us can't list off the 10 commandments!  No, it says "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch"  So a Christian is a disciple and a disciple is a follower of someone and in a Christian's case that someone is Jesus. So a Christian is a follower of Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to follow You well. Amen

  Acts 11:19-24 The gospel got to Antioch because persecuted Christians left where they were and went to Antioch.  It's interesting though that they only spread the news amongst the Jews.  It was others who heard from the persecuted Christians that arrived in Cyprus and Cyrene that dared to share the news amongst the Greeks too.  What was interesting is the Lord's hand was upon so many came into the Kingdom. Lord Jesus, would You place Your hand upon us today so that many will enter Your Kingdom.  Bring to us the persecuted Christians and give them the courage to spread Your word and help us as a church to stay focused on Your truths so that our unity is achieved by putting You first.  Amen

  Acts 11:4-18 Peter responded to his critics by telling it as it happened. Lord Jesus, help us to be clear when we respond to our critics.  Help us to just tell it as it is such that they too can join You in Your work.

  Acts 11:1-3 Sometimes folks think that things should be all smooth in the body of Christ yet even Peter as Christian critics. Lord Jesus, help us to do what is right in Your eyes, even when we're challenged by others in the body of Christ.  Help us to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Amen

 Acts 10:44-48 This was something new; the good news was available to the Gentiles!  It's interesting that they didn't ask for the Holy Spirit to come.  The Holy Spirit just came as Peter was talking. Then, to signify their belonging to the body of Christ, Peter suggested that they get water baptized as well. Lord Jesus, we don't fully understand when the Holy Spirit comes but we want Him in our lives.  Fill us with the fruit of the Holy Spirit so we can represent You well.  Amen

Acts 10:39-43   Peter was an eye witness to Jesus. Jesus didn't appear to everyone; just those he ate with after he rose from the dead!  They were told to tell everyone that Jesus will judge the living and the dead yet if we believe in Him we receive forgiveness of sins. Lord Jesus, we too are witnesses of Your goodness.  As we pause now to remember how we've experienced You in our lives we ask that we too can be effective witnesses for You so that many may receive forgiveness of sins.  Amen

  Acts 10:37-38 The news had spread about Jesus, even to the Gentiles.  He was under the power of the Holy Spirit and went around doing good, healing those under the power of the devil. Lord Jesus,  our communities have heard about Jesus but we're not doing as well healing those under the power of the devil.  Would You fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can release those who have been put to sleep by the evil one.  We need You Lord; even to help us with such things as gluttony and pride. Amen

  Acts 10:34-36 God doesn't show favouritism yet he does have standards!  He " accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right"; and to those he accepts he promises peace through Jesus Christ because Jesus is Lord of all. Lord Jesus, we live in a world that calls right wrong and wrong right.  Help us to keep You as Lord of our lives so we experience your peace and represent you well.

  Acts 10:29-33 Here is an example of God working in two people's lives and Him putting the puzzle pieces together. Lord Jesus, give us the faith to obey You so that we can see the puzzle pieces coming together. Amen